By SANDRA MWILA  –
At OYDC
Zambia 22 Zimbabwe 15
THE Zambia girl’s team yesterday reached the finals of International Handball Federation (IHF) Zone Six Championship after beating Zimbabwe in the finals played at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC).
By press time, the boy’s team was playing Zimbabwe in an evening semi final to decide who faces the winner of the South Africa versus Mozambique tie in the final for a place the African Handball Championship.
In the girl’s match, Zambia endured a difficult start after Majorie Mbewe was sent off while Elizabeth Daka was given a two minute suspension but that did not deter the team lead by Ruth Mbewe to emerge victorious.
Zambian goalkeeper Etiphen Banda was equally alert in goal denying Botswana clear cut chances as the hosts took a 12-3 half time. The second half saw Botswana coming back strong into the game causing havoc and Zambia were forced to remove Banda for Ruth Mpundu.
Today Zambia will face defending Mozambique in the finals starting at 14:00 hours after the latter beat Malawi, the 2012 runner-up, 46-22 in the semi final.
Meanwhile, Handball Association of Zambia (HAZ) Victor Banda expressed happiness with the women team qualification to the finals.
“This is fantastic, it is a great achievement for our women to reach their first ever finals. This shows that the association has invested in the players and I am confident they will beat Mozambique in the finals,” he said.